COAL MINES ACT.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 251, 22 October 1924, Page 8

COAL MINES ACT.

AMENDED ROYALTY TERMS. (By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") WELLINGTON, Tuesday. The Coal Mines Amendment Bill was introduced late to-night by Governor's Message. In addition to a number of departmental clauses, such as full provision being made for accurate plans of mines to be maintained, polls to be taken and for provision of bath houses, the bill makes a change in the provision relating to the qualifications of mine managers, a second-class certificate being"neces=ary where more than ten or less than 20"men arc employed, in place of the former minimum of- eight. Conditions governing the payment of rents and royalties include the following: If the royalty calculated in accordance with the terms of lease for any half-yearly period exceeds the rent for that" period, the royalty payable for that period shall be reduced to the amount by which royalty so calculated exceeds the rent. If the royalty calculated in accordance with the terms of the lease for any half-yearly period does not exceed the rent for that period, but exceeds fifty per centum of rent, the royalty payable for that period shall be" reduced to an amount equal to fifty per centum of rent. The Minister of Mines is empowered to grant special relief to the holder of a mining lease if there are unfavourable circumstances over which the lessee has no control, and the warden may authorise the sale of coal won during prospecting. The main airways of mines must be arranged in future so that the main intake is not within 50 feet from' the main return, except at the air crossing. A provision of the principal Act relating to funds for medical associations may apply to any other organisation or society consisting wholly or principally >of persons employed at the mine if the Minister approves.